Teen lens wearers risk sight

Large numbers of teenagers
in the US are successfully purchasing unlicensed plano contact lenses and putting their eyes at risk, according to a new study.
The researchers surveyed 159 patients across the US,
23 per cent of whom wore cosmetic plano lenses. Participants reported that they purchased their lenses from an unlicensed provider 51 per cent of the time.
Investigators found that 12 contact lens wearers were seen urgently for acute eye pain and redness after wearing plano lenses that were not supplied by an optician. Four patients developed blinding infections including Acanthamoeba, with one patient requiring penetrating keratoplasty.
The study, Over-the-Counter Decorative Contact Lenses: Cosmetic or Medical Devices?, by Steinemann, Thomas, Fletcher et al, concluded that unlicensed vendors are dispensing coloured, non-corrective contact lenses without a prescription and fitting
resulting in acute vision-threatening infections and inflammation in uninformed lens wearers.
In this country the General Optical Council has acted to ensure that cosmetic contact lens sales are supervised by registered practitioners.